A Syrian government soldier was killed in clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo province, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported, citing the Ministry of Defence. The violence between the two sides erupted on Tuesday in northwestern Syria, casting doubt over an integration deal signed in March by the armed group and Syria’s interim government. This deal aimed to reunite the country, devastated and divided by a 14-year war, after the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December.
The Defence Ministry stated that the SDF must adhere to the accord and stop targeting government forces, warning that “the continuation of these actions will lead to new consequences”. However, the March agreement lacks specificity on how the SDF would be merged into Syria’s armed forces. The group insists its forces must join as a bloc, while the government prefers individual integration.
Syria’s fledgling government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, announced it would not participate in planned meetings with the SDF in Paris amid mounting tensions. Meanwhile, Syria’s foreign minister and a senior official in the country’s Kurdish administration reportedly met on Tuesday in Damascus. The SDF, which was the main force allied with the United States in Syria during the fighting that defeated ISIL (ISIS) in 2019, accused government-backed factions of attacking areas in northeastern Syria over 22 times on Saturday.
The SDF stated it had exercised restraint during such “aggressions” but warned that the continuation of attacks “threatens mutual trust and undermines understandings”. Al-Sharaa’s new government has faced significant challenges, including sectarian violence that broke out on July 13 in the southern province of Suwayda between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Government troops were deployed to quell the conflict, which worsened after Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops and bombed the heart of the capital, Damascus, under the pretext of protecting the Druze.
The situation in Syria remains complex and volatile, with ongoing fighting and humanitarian concerns. The country’s new government is navigating these challenges while trying to establish stability and security. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many expressing concern over the potential for further escalation and human suffering.